News
Marine charity WLTM children of the ’60s and before…
Previous beach cleaners need not apply! The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK’s leading marine charity, is looking to hook up people over 50 with their first ever MCS beach clean.
The charity is running a clean up for over 50’s at Sand Bay, near Weston-super-Mare on Saturday May 27th. It’s specifically aimed at people who were born in 1967 or before and who have never taken part in a beach clean in their half century or more.
The clean up at Sand Bay is part of a series of beach cleans around the south and east coasts of England funded by NESTA, the innovation foundation. The aim is to encourage people over 50 to start volunteering in something they’ve never done before and then for organisations to find innovative ways to keep them coming back for more!
Research in 2016 from the Centre for Ageing Better, found people 50 and over were more likely than younger people to be highly committed to voluntary activity and were responsible for approximately 40% of all the volunteering, charitable giving and civic participation in the UK. But, conversely, this age group are also more likely than others not to make any contributions at all, with a large proportion completely disengaged.
If you were born in 1967 or before, it was a period of great firsts – Coronation Street hit our screens for the first time, Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space, the first ring pull can was invented. Wimbledon went colour on BBC2 and the first heart transplant took place.
Now MCS is hoping people who have seen so many firsts in their lifetime will embrace another first – taking part in a beach clean with MCS!
Justine Millard, MCS Head of Volunteering and Community Engagement says: “We’d love people to join our army of 50 somethings off to do their very first beach clean with MCS! Over 50’s are often of the generation that went to the beach as children and have then spent intervening years holidaying out of the UK. Their memory of the seaside may be totally different from today’s reality. Today there’s more plastic litter, more polystyrene, more cigarette butts, more bits of balloons. We’d like them to help us get our beaches back to the way they remember them – so our grandchildren and those of our friends, can build safe sandcastles in a healthy environment.”
News
Spooktacular Underwater Adventure: Oyster Diving’s First Halloween Scuba Party at Mercers Lake
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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